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Man drove wrong way on Hwy. 401 for 20 km: Cops

A suspected drunk driver faces charges after he allegedly drove the wrong way along Hwy. 401 Saturday morning, somehow managing to travel through oncoming traffic for more than 20 km from Toronto’s west end into Mississauga without killing anyone.

Ontario Provincial Police say officers from their Toronto and Port Credit detechments were dispatched to investigate around 5:40 a.m. after numerous citizens reported seeing a motorist driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of the busy highway.

“Many witnesses called 911 to report the vehicle, which was first reported near Islington Ave. in the city of Toronto,” Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said Saturday. “Officers were able to locate the vehicle and stop it near Mississauga Rd. in the city of Mississauga.”

He said other motorists reported having to “swerve out of the way” to avoid colliding with the oncoming vehicle.

The 28-year-old faces charges of dangerous driving, impaired driving and refusing to provide a breath sample.

“Fortunately this ended successfully, no one was injured and the driver was removed from the highway,” Schmidt said. “The OPP thanks all the witnesses who called 911 to report this dangerous situation that could have easily ended in a fatal collision.”